Chapter Text
Staring unseeing at the ash filled clouds above him, Lucifer sits on his throne, daydreaming about his reunion with Chloe, her in his lap.
Making friends with shadows on the wall.
It’s his self imposed reward for counseling another soul out of their Hell loop.
I’m not crazy, just a little unwell, thinking how I used to be. Happy.
He has sat here not often enough, these first six months, imagining their far in the future reunion. Ecstatic pleasure on his face, the sweet in the bitter.
Pay any price just to get you, Detective. Even if our separation is the universe’s longest blip. The newest four letter word with which to curse.
Of course, you have to duck your head into your shoulder, not to hide from the grounded demons, but so you don’t inhale the ashes that taste like regrets. As he relaxes into the head spinning fantasy of Chloe caressing his face and speaking softly of being his partner, Lucifer hears the whoosh of great wings. Amenadiel the interrupter by the sound of it, and lightening of obsidian gray atmosphere. The perks of being worthy to be God, he supposes. What could have brought his older brother here to Hell, that one time before it was because Michael was making trouble on Earth involving the Detective? Lucifer jumps off the throne, rocketing past his brother towards the cracked hallways of Hell.
I gladly gave up all I got. Surrendered my bad life for good. Sorry, Townsend, for mangling your lyrics to Bargain.
As Amenadiel lands, Lucifer starts questioning him immediately. Even though time is slower here in the Pit, whatever might be wrong on Earth has a well, a Hell of a head start.
“Easy, brother, easy. Those angelic wardens, Hoael and Jarenel, overseeing Michael’s detention, brought me word…” Amenadiel’s calming voice is drowned out by Lucifer’s anxious question.
“Brother, what’s happened? Not a Michael repeat, I hope.” Lucifer’s eyes flash red.
Amenadiel confirms Lucifer’s suspicion, “Yes, Michael, but this time he seems to be trying to make amends. Lucifer, he impersonated you in Rory’s time travels. Sowing the seeds of abandonment.” Amenadiel explains.
“How do you know that? Michael is fully capable of fabricating a tale about hoodwinking Rory.” Lucifer puts up defenses against the sudden, unexpected sprig of hope.
“Michael contacted me, wanting to know how to get his wings back.” Amenadiel updates Lucifer in measured tones.
“Fat chance. The only wings he will ever see are the ones on the swans he is cleaning up after at the animal rescue. Still with a toothbrush, ‘Menadiel, that was part of the agreement after I decided his presence in Hell was too much of a temptation for me.” Lucifer growls.
“Linda and I hypothesized that he had to ‘become a better person’, confess his guilt, and right a great wrong. Just as you did with Mom,” Amenadiel encourages.
“And he confessed that he’d impersonated me, we already knew that.” Lucifer paces, impatience in action.
“Michael volunteered the part about interacting with Rory. I think for once Michael is sincere in his regrets.” Amenadiel suggests, trying to convince Lucifer to return to Earth while Chloe is still alive.
“Michael ‘regrets’ getting caught and paying the price.” Lucifer is staunchly against any supposition of redeeming characteristics for his twin.
“Lucifer, the guilt is not yours, its Michael’s. And yet, somehow,” Amenadiel muses, “you and your family are paying the price.”
“Amenadiel, I still gave my word to my daughter to not change her childhood, the one where I was entirely absent.” Lucifer looks away from Amenadiel, unwilling to let his brother see how much pain deserting Rory has caused him.
“Luci, I don’t think it counts, if she extracted that promise based on incorrect information.” Amenadiel holds up his hands to stop Lucifer’s next objection. “Brother, I dabbled in investigative work, but it’s you and Chloe together solving the injustices in Heaven, Earth and Hell who are the experts in finding the hidden truths.”
“But I am supposed to be down here, freeing souls from their guilt. Even, even she agreed.” Lucifer finds it impossible to refer to Chloe by title or name and choke words out.
“Which soul are you working with, I will take over that and you can fly up. Chloe still has a little time left, before the birth.” Amenadiel reassures his brother about the timeline Earthside.
“I’ve been attempting to coax Delilah out of her cell. Brother, are you sure?” Lucifer demands over the snap of his wings rapid unfurling.
“No, frankly, omniscience where you are concerned is non-existent. Pray to me when Chloe goes into labor. My back up plan is to be there to stop time during Rory’s birth if we sense signs of ‘the fabric of time and space’ tearing,” Amenadiel waves his hands in a disturbing Doc Brown imitation. Lucifer glares at his brother, finding stodgy Amenadiel’s sarcasm unreassuring.
“Give you enough time to get away.”
“Excellent.” Lucifer launches from the throne, huge white wings propelling him rapidly through the falling ash and towards the only destination that matters.